Morisset Hospital off limits to 'kangaroo tourists'

27th November 2018

Public access to Morisset Hospital will soon be restricted to ensure the health and safety of hospital patients, the community and the local kangaroo population.
Following a working group committee decision involving local MP Greg Piper, Hunter New England Local Health District, and representatives from RSPCA, NSW Wildlife Council and NSW Parks and Wildlife, the existing gates at the bridge on the main road leading into the site will be permanently locked, with access restricted to emergency services, authorised visitors and staff.
Michael DiRienzo, Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health, says that in the coming weeks, the general public and tourists will no longer be able to enter the Morisset Hospital site.
“Ensuring the health and welfare of the public, our patients, and staff, at Morisset Hospital is our priority,” Mr DiRienzo said. “Unfortunately, tourists have continued to visit the site to feed and interact with the animals, despite clear signage instructing them not to do so.”
“A number of incidents have occurred where members of the public have been seriously injured by kangaroos, health services have been disrupted by the influx of cars and buses on-site, and many kangaroos have been injured or killed.”
The current gate will be permanently locked while custom-built gates are being constructed, with installation of the new gates expected in March or April 2019. These gates will have swipe card access, intercom and video cameras for staff. Hunter New England Health will also install bollards at entry points, and additional fencing across the campus.
“As the site will soon be closed to general visitors, we also request that tour operators and other visitor information websites remove any reference to the facility as a tourist attraction,” Mr DiRienzo added.
Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper MP, said that it was important to protect the safety of everyone on the site.
“Like many in the community, we are concerned by the increasing number of people visiting the Morisset Hospital campus to see the kangaroos,” Mr Piper said. “It has had a detrimental effect on the kangaroos and a number of visitors to the site have been badly injured during their interaction with the animals.”
“Morisset Hospital is an operational mental health facility. For many patients, the campus is their home and accessing areas of the site is part of their rehabilitation and treatment. Unfortunately tourists have also approached mental health patients which can impact their care and wellbeing.”
Audrey Koosmen, Chair NSW Wildlife Council and President of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, also said that it was important to support the local wildlife to live naturally and safely at Morisset Hospital.
“The situation with increasing numbers of tourists was not good for the welfare of both kangaroos and patients,” Ms Koosman said. “While many of the tourists may have been well-intentioned, I am glad we have found a solution to protect the kangaroos from further harm and interference.”
Mr DiRienzo said that, while the kangaroos are welcome co-tenants at Morisset, the increasing numbers of tourists coming to visit the kangaroos at the site was not sustainable.
“The situation was not good for the welfare of patients, staff or the kangaroos themselves,” Mr DiRienzo said. “We appreciate the input of everyone who has helped work towards finding a suitable solution to this problem.”
The gates on the bridge on the main road leading into Morisset Hospital will be locked in the coming weeks once the appropriate road infrastructure has been installed. Members of the general public are reminded not to visit the site unless authorised.

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ABOUT GREG

Greg Piper has been an independent voice for the people of Lake Macquarie for more than 20 years, as a Member of Parliament, Mayor and councillor. He was elected to Lake Macquarie council in 1991, served as Mayor from 2004 until 2012 and has been the State MP for Lake Macquarie since 2007.